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M. S. Rifai

Bio: M. S. Rifai is an academic researcher from Stanford University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Finite element method & Shell (structure). The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 7 publications receiving 3025 citations.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a three-field mixed formulation in terms of displacements, stresses and an enhanced strain field is presented which encompasses, as a particular case, the classical method of incompatible modes.
Abstract: A three-field mixed formulation in terms of displacements, stresses and an enhanced strain field is presented which encompasses, as a particular case, the classical method of incompatible modes. Within this frame-work, incompatible elements arise as particular ‘compatible’ mixed approximations of the enhanced strain field. The conditions that the stress interpolation contain piece-wise constant functions and be L2-ortho-gonal to the enhanced strain interpolation, ensure satisfaction of the patch test and allow the elimination of the stress field from the formulation. The preceding conditions are formulated in a form particularly convenient for element design. As an illustration of the methodology three new elements are developed and shown to exhibit good performance: a plane 3D elastic/plastic QUAD, an axisymmetric element and a thick plate bending QUAD. The formulation described herein is suitable for non-linear analysis.

1,559 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a configuration update procedure for the director (rotation) field is developed, which is singularity free and exact regardless the magnitude of the rotation increment, and the exact linearization of the discrete form of the equilibrium equations is derived in closed form.
Abstract: Computational aspects of a geometrically exact stress resultant model presented in Part I of this work are considered in detail. In particular, by exploiting the underlying geometric structure of the model, a configuration update procedure for the director (rotation) field is developed which is singularity free and exact regardless the magnitude of the director (rotation) increment. Our mixed finite element interpolation for the membrane, shear and bending fields presented in PartII of this work are extended to the finite deformation case. The exact linearization of the discrete form of the equilibrium equations is derived in closed form. The formulation is then illustrated by a comprehensive set of numerical experiments which include bifurcation and post-buckling response, we well as comparisons with closed form solutions and experimental results.

580 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, an extension of the shell theory and numerical analysis presented in Part I, II and III to include finite thickness stretch and initial variable thickness is presented, which plays a significant role in problems involving finite membrane strains, contact, concentrated surface loads and delamination (in composite shells).
Abstract: This paper in concerned with the extension of the shell theory and numerical analysis presented in Part I, II and III to include finite thickness stretch and initial variable thickness. These effects play a significant role in problems involving finite membrane strains, contact, concentrated surface loads and delamination (in composite shells). We show that a direct numerical implementation of the standard single extensible director shell model circumvents the need for rotational updates, but exhibits numerical ill-conditioning in the thin shell limit. A modified formulation obtained via a multiplicative split of the director field into an extensible and inextensible part is presented, which involves only a trivial modification of the weak form of the equilibrium equations considered in Part III, and leads to a perfectly well-conditioned formulation in the thin-shell limit. In sharp contrast with previous attempts in the context of the degenerated solid approach, the thickness stretch is an independent field, not a dependent variable updated iteratively via the plane stress condition. With regard to numerical implementation, an exact update procedure which automatically ensures that the thickness stretch remains positive is presented. For the present theory, standard displacement models would exhibit ‘locking’ in the incompressible limit as a result of the essentially three-dimensional character of the constitutive equations. A mixed formulation is described which circumvents this difficulty. Numerical examples are presented that illustrate the effects of the thickness stretch, the performance of the proposed mixed interpolation, and the well-conditioned response exhibited by the present approach in the thin-shell (inextensible director) limit.

452 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a discrete canonical, singularity-free mapping between the five and the six degree of freedom formulation is constructed by exploiting the geometric connection between the orthogonal group (SO(3)) and the unit sphere (S2).
Abstract: Computational aspects of a linear stress resultant (classical) shell theory, obtained by systematic linearization of the geometrically exact nonlinear theory, considered in Part I of this work, are examined in detail. In particular, finite element interpolations for the reference director field and the linearized rotation field are constructed such that the underlying geometric structure of the continuum theory is preserved exactly by the discrete approximation. A discrete canonical, singularity-free mapping between the five and the six degree of freedom formulation is constructed by exploiting the geometric connection between the orthogonal group (SO(3)) and the unit sphere (S2). The proposed numerical treatment of the membrane and bending fields, based on a mixed Hellinger-Reissner formulation,provides excellent results for the 4-node bilinear isoparametric element. As an example, convergent results are obtained for rather coarse meshes in fairly demanding, singularity-dominated, problems such as the classical rhombic plate test. The proposed theory and finite element implementation are evaluated through an extensive set of benchmark problems. The results obtained with the present approach exactly match previous solutions obtained with state-of-the-art implementations based on the so-called degenerated solid approach.

450 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a non-linear time-stepping algorithm is proposed to preserve the total linear and angular momentum of a shell in the presence of a nonlinear dynamic response.
Abstract: In Parts I to V of the present work, the formulation and finite element implementation of a non-linear stress resultant shell model are considered in detail. This paper is concerned with the extension of these results to incorporate completely general non-linear dynamic response. Of special interest here is the dynamics of very flexible shells undergoing large overall motion which conserves the total linear and angular momentum and, for the Hamiltonian case, the total energy. A main goal of this paper is the design of non-linear time-stepping algorithms, and the construction of finite element interpolations, which preserve exactly these fundamental constants of motion. It is shown that only a very special class of algorithms, namely a formulation of the mid-point rule in conservation form, exactly preserves the total linear and angular momentum. For the Hamiltonian case, a somewhat surprising result is proved: regardless of the degree of non-linearity in the stored-energy function, a generalized mid-point rule algorithm always exists which exactly conserves energy The conservation properties of a time-stepping algorithm need not, and in general will not, be preserved by the spatial discretization. Precise conditions which ensure preservation of these conservation properties are derived. A number of numerical simulations are presented which illustrate the exact conservation properties of the proposed methodology.

107 citations


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BookDOI
17 Aug 2012
TL;DR: De Borst et al. as mentioned in this paper present a condensed version of the original book with a focus on non-linear finite element technology, including nonlinear solution strategies, computational plasticity, damage mechanics, time-dependent effects, hyperelasticity and large-strain elasto-plasticity.
Abstract: Built upon the two original books by Mike Crisfield and their own lecture notes, renowned scientist Rene de Borst and his team offer a thoroughly updated yet condensed edition that retains and builds upon the excellent reputation and appeal amongst students and engineers alike for which Crisfield's first edition is acclaimed. Together with numerous additions and updates, the new authors have retained the core content of the original publication, while bringing an improved focus on new developments and ideas. This edition offers the latest insights in non-linear finite element technology, including non-linear solution strategies, computational plasticity, damage mechanics, time-dependent effects, hyperelasticity and large-strain elasto-plasticity. The authors' integrated and consistent style and unrivalled engineering approach assures this book's unique position within the computational mechanics literature.

2,568 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a model which allows the introduction of displacements jumps to conventional finite elements is developed, where the path of the discontinuity is completely independent of the mesh structure.
Abstract: A model which allows the introduction of displacements jumps to conventional finite elements is developed. The path of the discontinuity is completely independent of the mesh structure. Unlike so-called ‘embedded discontinuity’ models, which are based on incompatible strain modes, there is no restriction on the type of underlying solid finite element that can be used and displacement jumps are continuous across element boundaries. Using finite element shape functions as partitions of unity, the displacement jump across a crack is represented by extra degrees of freedom at existing nodes. To model fracture in quasi-brittle heterogeneous materials, a cohesive crack model is used. Numerical simulations illustrate the ability of the method to objectively simulate fracture with unstructured meshes. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

914 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an overview of available theories and finite elements that have been developed for multilayered, anisotropic, composite plate and shell structures is presented. But, although a comprehensive description of several techniques and approaches is given, most of this paper has been devoted to the so called axiomatic theories and related finite element implementations.
Abstract: This work is an overview of available theories and finite elements that have been developed for multilayered, anisotropic, composite plate and shell structures. Although a comprehensive description of several techniques and approaches is given, most of this paper has been devoted to the so called axiomatic theories and related finite element implementations. Most of the theories and finite elements that have been proposed over the last thirty years are in fact based on these types of approaches. The paper has been divided into three parts. Part I, has been devoted to the description of possible approaches to plate and shell structures: 3D approaches, continuum based methods, axiomatic and asymptotic two-dimensional theories, classical and mixed formulations, equivalent single layer and layer wise variable descriptions are considered (the number of the unknown variables is considered to be independent of the number of the constitutive layers in the equivalent single layer case). Complicating effects that have been introduced by anisotropic behavior and layered constructions, such as high transverse deformability, zig-zag effects and interlaminar continuity, have been discussed and summarized by the acronimC -Requirements. Two-dimensional theories have been dealt with in Part II. Contributions based on axiomatic, asymtotic and continuum based approaches have been overviewed. Classical theories and their refinements are first considered. Both case of equivalent single-layer and layer-wise variables descriptions are discussed. The so-called zig-zag theories are then discussed. A complete and detailed overview has been conducted for this type of theory which relies on an approach that is entirely originated and devoted to layered constructions. Formulas and contributions related to the three possible zig-zag approaches, i.e. Lekhnitskii-Ren, Ambartsumian-Whitney-Rath-Das, Reissner-Murakami-Carrera ones have been presented and overviewed, taking into account the findings of a recent historical note provided by the author. Finite Element FE implementations are examined in Part III. The possible developments of finite elements for layered plates and shells are first outlined. FEs based on the theories considered in Part II are discussed along with those approaches which consist of a specific application of finite element techniques, such as hybrid methods and so-called global/local techniques. The extension of finite elements that were originally developed for isotropic one layered structures to multilayerd plates and shells are first discussed. Works based on classical and refined theories as well as on equivalent single layer and layer-wise descriptions have been overviewed. Development of available zig-zag finite elements has been considered for the three cases of zig-zag theories. Finite elements based on other approches are also discussed. Among these, FEs based on asymtotic theories, degenerate continuum approaches, stress resultant methods, asymtotic methods, hierarchy-p,_-s global/local techniques as well as mixed and hybrid formulations have been overviewed.

839 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, qualitative features of solutions exhibiting strong discontinuities in rate-independent inelastic solids are identified and exploited in the design of a new class of finite element approximations.
Abstract: Ket qualitative features of solutions exhibiting strong discontinuities in rate-independent inelastic solids are identified and exploited in the design of a new class of finite element approximations. The analysis shows that the softening law must be re-interpreted in a distributional sense for the continuum solutions to make mathematical sense and provides a precise physical interpretation to the softening modulus. These results are verified by numerical simulations employing a regularized discontinuous finite element method which circumvent the strong mesh-dependence exhibited by conventional methods, without resorting to viscosity or introducing additional ad-hoc parameters. The analysis is extended to a new class of anisotropic rate-independent damage models for brittle materials.

823 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a class of assumed strain mixed finite element methods for fully nonlinear problems in solid mechanics is presented which, when restricted to geometrically linear problems, encompasses the classical method of incompatible modes as a particular case.
Abstract: A class of ‘assumed strain’ mixed finite element methods for fully non-linear problems in solid mechanics is presented which, when restricted to geometrically linear problems, encompasses the classical method of incompatible modes as a particular case. The method relies crucially on a local multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient into a conforming and an enhanced part, formulated in the context of a three-field variational formulation. The resulting class of mixed methods provides a possible extension to the non-linear regime of well-known incompatible mode formulations. In addition, this class of methods includes non-linear generalizations of recently proposed enhanced strain interpolations for axisymmetric problems which cannot be interpreted as incompatible modes elements. The good performance of the proposed methodology is illustrated in a number of simulations including 2-D, 3-D and axisymmetric finite deformation problems in elasticity and elastoplasticity. Remarkably, these methods appear to be specially well suited for problems involving localization of the deformation, as illustrated in several numerical examples.

763 citations